JP2001299699A - Device for identifying caries, plaque, bacterial infection, calculus, dental calculus, and other fluorescent material on tooth - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for identifying caries, plaque, bacterial infection, calculi, dental calculi, and other fluorescent materials on teeth. SOLUTION: The device comprises a means 2 for generating stimulation light A guided to an examined teeth-tissue region, a detecting means 7 and evaluating means for detecting fluorescence F generated in the irradiated teeth- tissue region in response to the irradiation and evaluating the fluorescence, and a beam splitter disposed in a light passage between the means 2 and the examined teeth-tissue region and formed substantially of the flat plane side 4 on the rear of a hemispherical lens 3. The beam splitter reflects the stimulation light A in the direction of the teeth-tissue region and substantially transmits the fluorescence F. By this method, an optical diagnostic apparatus eviclently smaller than a current one can be provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to caries,
It relates to an apparatus for identifying plaque, bacterial infection, stones, tartar, and other fluorescent substances on teeth.

[0002] In recent years, devices have been repeatedly proposed in which the presence of dental caries can be ascertained in a non-contact manner with the help of such devices. In this regard, the tooth-tissue area to be investigated
n) is ideally illuminated with light from a monochromatic light source, and in response, fluoresced in the illuminated area.
ent radiation) occurs. This fluorescence shows that the fluorescence spectrum of the carious tooth-tissue region is healthy tooth-
It is subsequently evaluated using the fact that it is distinctly different from the corresponding spectrum of the tissue area. For example, in the red spectral region of caries or plaque-infected teeth (about 550 to 650 nm), the intensity of fluorescence is clearly higher than in healthy teeth. With the aid of simple, non-contact investigation methods, with appropriate detection and evaluation means, carious tooth-tissue areas can thus be distinguished from absolutely healthy tooth-tissue areas.

A device of this kind is described, for example, in DE 297
04 185 U1 or DE 197 09 500
It is described in C1. In a first example, they are stimulating radiation.
, For example, a HeNe laser that generates stimulating light at a wavelength in the range between 600 nm and 670 nm. The stimulating light is coupled to the light guide system through an optical system consisting of a plurality of lenses or mirrors and is directed through the light guide system to the tooth-tissue area to be examined. In the device described in DE 197 09 500 C1, the light guide system comprises a light source,
It consists of a light guide that extends to the tip of a handpiece provided at its end with an optical probe that serves as a means of separating light from coupling and leading it to the desired area. The resulting fluorescence in the illuminated tooth-tissue region passes through the tip of the optical probe, couples back to the light guide system, and is transmitted to the detection device. Light guide systems are typically used to simultaneously transmit both the stimulating light and the fluorescent light, so that the two types of light are interrogated and interrogated with a stimulating light source to provide the fluorescent light to the detection means. A beam splitter is located in the light path between the tooth and the tissue region.

[0004] The elements of the optical diagnostic device described above, in particular the means for generating the stimulating light and the optical system including a beam splitter for coupling the stimulating light to the light guide system or for separating the fluorescence from the optical coupling, include: Due to their size, conventionally these elements are arranged in a central unit, with the aid of a supply pipe in which one or more light guides are arranged, to a dental handpiece or to a dental handpiece. It was common to transmit two types of light from a handpiece.

[0005] Devices known to date for identifying caries, plaques, bacterial infections, calculi, tartar, and other fluorescent materials on the teeth are equally simple and space-saving in their structure. In such a way that it can be realized
It is an object of the present invention to improve.

This object is generally achieved according to the invention by the combination of the components.

[0007] The above object is achieved, according to one aspect of the present invention, by an apparatus having the features of claim 1. This device is based on the fact that the beam splitter, which is arranged in the optical path between the means for generating the stimulation light and the tooth-tissue region to be investigated, is formed by the flat rear side of the lens, which is substantially hemispherical. Is identified by The flat posterior side is configured such that the stimulating light is reflected in the direction of the tooth-tissue area to be investigated, while the fluorescence passes through it substantially unimpeded. Since the curved front surface of the hemispherical lens has the effect of focusing at the same time, with its aid the stimulating light can be coupled to the light guide system, thereby eliminating the need for additional optical means. The development of the optical diagnostic device according to the invention is thus distinguished by its simple structure and the possibility that it can be designed to be largely independent of external influences. Thus, the possibility of arranging the essential elements of the device directly in the handpiece itself, rather than in a central unit separate from the handpiece as in the prior art, likewise exists additionally.

The effect of beam splitting on the plane side of the hemispherical lens is preferably achieved as follows. That is, the plane side has a coating that reflects light at the frequency of the excitation light and transmits light in the frequency region of the generated fluorescence without hindrance. An optical filter is preferably present adjacent to the plane side of the hemispherical lens, in order to better filter out parts that are not necessary for the detection and evaluation of the fluorescence and that may be obstructive I do. Laser diodes are preferably used to generate the stimulating light, since only this has very small dimensions and can therefore easily be integrated into the handpiece. Furthermore, to detect the fluorescence, the detection means may have a photodiode arranged behind the optical filter.

[0009] The manner in which the stimulating light of the light source is directed to the tooth-tissue region to be investigated depends on the scope of application of the optical diagnostic method. In response, several possibilities are discussed as follows.

The device according to the invention can be used, for example, in a very advantageous method in periodontal diagnosis. For this purpose, the tooth capsule to be examined at the tip of the handpiece (to
An optical probe is provided to be inserted into the other packet. At the tip of the probe, the stimulating light is separated from the optical coupling and directed to the tooth-tissue area to be investigated. As mentioned above, the resulting fluorescence in the illuminated tooth-tissue region is also coupled back to the light guide system with the aid of the optical probe, to the hemispherical lens acting as a beam splitter, and to the means for evaluating the fluorescence. It is led. As a result, with the help of simple but effective optical diagnostic methods, the possibility exists to be able to evaluate the area of a tooth stump, which is usually difficult to evaluate and therefore difficult to investigate. I do.

The probe is preferably made of a light-guiding material and in this regard has the shape of a cone, a light wedge or a periodontal probe. In order to be able to obtain more detailed information about the depth of the tooth sac, it can additionally have a sign or scale on its outside. Furthermore, the probing force is adapted and thus the patient's gum
The tip of the probe is mounted on the handpiece, preferably in a resilient manner, to give the user the possibility of preventing damage to the user. Some types of light can be transmitted from the hemispherical lens to the optical probe or vice versa, for example, by a flexible light guide that connects to a mirror located on the probe or the end of the probe.

As explained above, an important advantage of the diagnostic device according to the invention can be seen in the fact that it can be designed to be very compact in terms of dimensions due to the combination of the components. Thus, there is the possibility to supplement known dental handpieces for treating tooth-tissue areas by optical diagnostic methods, and thus to provide a combined diagnostic and therapeutic device. In this regard, it was previously only possible for the laser treatment unit to be supplemented by an optical diagnostic method, since the light guide present for the transmission of laser treatment light could also be utilized by the diagnostic system in a simple way. It was just known that it was done. A diagnostic and therapeutic device using such a laser beam is described, for example, in DE 29705 943 U
1.

According to the invention, however, a dental device having a handpiece for the mechanical treatment of a tooth-tissue region is supplemented by an optical diagnostic method. This dental device can be, for example, a tartar removal unit as described in DE 83 22 850 U1 or, for example, D
It can be a handpiece in which the treatment of the tooth-tissue region is effected by means of an abrasive treatment, as described in E 197 42 701 A1. In the case of these known dental devices, the handpiece generally does not have to justify further expansion of the handpiece previously, in a manner in which the optical diagnostic device could not be integrated as well. , A drive arranged internally to the treatment tip, or a transmission channel for the treatment medium. These difficulties are now overcome with the device according to the invention, so that a very effective and versatile dental device is formed. In the case of a tartar removal unit or a hand-operated instrument for treatment with a polishing liquid, the light guides required for some types of light transmission can extend, for example, to the tip or outside of the instrument. The user is then asked whether the tooth-tissue area to which the tip of the device is directed is carious or has stones or capsules so that the user can tailor the treatment to the results of the diagnosis. There is a possibility to maintain an arrangement with an indicating device that informs directly to the public. Furthermore, a possibility may be provided for a control that automatically controls the mechanical treatment in response to the result of the diagnosis.

The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The arrangement of the optical diagnostic device in the handpiece is described below in a first example with reference to FIG. The handpiece 1 is a dental handpiece, which is not defined in great detail in the first example, and is used exclusively for diagnostic purposes on the one hand, and on the other hand, as described below with reference to the two examples, under investigation. It has additional elements for therapeutic treatment of certain tooth-tissue areas. As a light source for the stimulating light A, a laser diode 2 that generates stimulating light in a range of 600 nm to 670 nm is arranged on the upper part of the handpiece 1. The stimulating light preferably has a wavelength of about 655 nm, at which wavelength the spectroscopic difference between the stimulating light A and the fluorescence F and the possible and best compromise between the laser diode 2 can be achieved. Because it is.

The stimulating light A emitted from the laser diode 2 enters a hemispherical lens 3 arranged below the laser diode 2 and is reflected on the flat rear side 4 toward the front end of the handpiece 1. . Therefore, the reflection of the stimulating light A is influenced by the vapor-grown coating on the flat rear side 4 of the hemispherical lens 3, which effectively reflects light in the above-mentioned frequency range. At the exit from the hemispherical lens 3, the stimulating light A passes through a curved front surface and an additional condenser lens 6 arranged in front of it.
, Through which the stimulating light A is finally coupled to a light guide 8 which extends to the front end of the handpiece 1. The light guide 8 reaches an optical probe (not shown), an element for separating the light from the optical coupling, or a further optical element, with the aid of which the stimulation light A is guided to the tooth-tissue area to be investigated.

The fluorescence F resulting from the irradiation of the light on the tooth-tissue region passes again through the light guide 8 and is transmitted in the opposite direction to the condenser lens 6 and the hemispherical lens 3. The fluorescence F has a wavelength greater than that of the stimulating light A and no longer reflects off the flat back side 4 of the hemispherical lens 3 but to an optical filter 5 arranged immediately behind the hemispherical lens 3. Permeates it unhindered. The non-transmission region of the filter 5 is in the wavelength region of the stimulating light A in order to remove a portion of the stimulating light A that can pass through the rear side 4 of the hemispherical lens 3. Finally, downstream of the optical filter 5, a photodiode 7, which is a part of a means for detecting and evaluating the fluorescence F, is disposed. The evaluation of the intensity of the fluorescence F or the evaluation of whether the tooth-tissue region under investigation has caries or has a calculus or a covering is carried out directly in the handpiece 1 or , A signal corresponding to the intensity of the fluorescence F is transmitted to the central unit.

The light guide 8 includes a single fiber for transmitting the stimulating light A, which is surrounded by a plurality of optical fiber light guides for detecting the fluorescence F, as in a known method. It can be a bundle of a plurality of fiber optic light guides arranged along. The effect of focusing the curved surface of the hemispherical lens 3 depends on the size and diameter of the lens 3 in the first example. Given the appropriate dimensions of the hemispherical lens 3, it is also possible to omit an additional condenser lens 6, whereby the optical device can be designed even more simply.

As can be inferred from FIG. 1, the device consists only of very few optical elements, so that on the one hand it can be manufactured inexpensively, and on the other hand also the previously known diagnostic device It is less susceptible to sudden changes or changes in temperature.

An apparatus for periodontal diagnosis is disclosed below as a first exemplary embodiment. Previously, only laser treatment devices were known and could be inserted into the gingival sac between the stump of the tooth and the gingiva for the treatment of the tooth, dental coating or gingiva there In the shape of the diagnostic probe, a separating element arranged at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handpiece was arranged at the tip. Such therapeutic devices are, for example, DE 196 36 265 A1
It is described in. FIG. 2 shows the above publication (Offenlegun) for forming a device for periodontal diagnosis.
2 shows a variant according to the invention of a treatment device according to the invention described in US Pat. For this purpose, the optical diagnostic device described with reference to FIG. 1 has the same elements here having the same reference numbers and is integrated in the handpiece 10.

The handpiece 10 has, at the front end thereof, a head section 16 in which an optical probe 11 mounted obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the handpiece 10 is disposed.
The optical probe 11 is mounted by means of a screw insert 13 which can be connected to a head part 16 by means of a screw thread 14, with holding projections 15 arranged outside the probe 11 being accommodated in corresponding recesses of the screw insert. You. This configuration allows the probe 11 to have, for example, a different shape.
Demonstrates the possibility of quickly and easily replacing a new probe with a better fit for a new research purpose.

The stimulating light A is optically coupled to the conical end face 12 of the optical probe 11 with the help of the additional condenser lens 6 for condensing the light. All the light optically coupled through the end face 12 is reflected inside the probe 11 and its lower tip 17
The shape and material of the probe 11 are selected so as to come out only from the probe 11. As will be described further below, the tip can be applied to each area to be examined.

The fluorescence F generated directly in front of the probe tip 17
Is guided in the direction opposite to the stimulating light A to the end face 12 above the probe 11 by total internal reflection in the probe 11 and is projected therefrom onto the condenser lens 6, after which the hemispherical lens 3 and the optical filter Through 5 is directed to the photodiode in a known manner. The probe 11 can be formed from a light transmissive material such as, for example, glass, quartz, or a plastic material. Due to its small size and shape, it is particularly adapted for insertion into the dental sac between the gingiva and the base of the tooth.

FIG. 3 shows the handpiece 10 shown in FIG.
The substantial difference is that the probe 11 is no longer rigidly mounted on the head part 16 but mounted elastically in the axial direction. This is because the holding projection 15 is the screw insertion 1
3 are smaller than the corresponding recesses, so that they can be displaced axially. A spring element 18 is provided above and below the holding projection 15 to obtain the center position of the probe 11 when no force is applied. The resilient mounting of the probe 11 depends on the probing force,
The force at which the probe 11 is inserted into the tooth sac to be examined is more finely matched, thus giving the user the possibility to avoid unnecessarily damaging the patient's gums. In this case, a flexible light is connected between the condenser lens 6 and the upper side of the probe 11 so as to be able to effectively combine the two types of light coming out and entering the light at each position of the probe 11. A guide 19 is used. The probe 11 is generally merely mounted under pressure,
Since a center position is not absolutely necessary, a single spring element arranged on top of the holding projection 15 can be used instead of the mounting shown.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG.
As in FIG. 3, the probe 11 is mounted so as to be elastic in the axial direction. However, this time, the flexible light guide 19 is not used, and the optical coupling of the stimulating light A is achieved by the mirror 20 disposed in the head 16 in the axial direction above the probe 11. For this purpose, the front side 6a of the condenser lens 6 facing the head 16 of the handpiece 10 is flat and slightly inclined to deflect the stimulating light to the mirror 20.

FIGS. 5 to 9 show different shapes of the probe 11. In this regard, the lower end of the probe 11 in each case is shown, the more accurate upper end shape being the probe 1 in the head 16.
It is determined by one holding support or a means for transmitting the stimulating light A and the fluorescent light F. The probe 11 shown in FIG.
It is slightly conical in the lower region and has a rounded probe tip 17. Markers 21 are present at regular intervals upward from this tip 17 and provide information on how deep the tooth sac is after the probe 11 has been inserted into the tooth sac and how deeply the probe 11 has already been inserted. provide. The indicia 21 can be, for example, a cut completely surrounding the probe 11 or just a ring printed on the top surface, so that it can be seen from any direction.

The probe 1 shown in the side view of FIG.
1 has the shape of a wedge that tapers towards the tip 17. FIG. 6 (b)
The width of the wedge remains unchanged over the entire height according to the front view of FIG. Similarly, in the case of the probe 11 shown in FIG. 5, the stimulating light is separated from the optical coupling at the probe tip 17, and the fluorescence passes through the probe tip 17 and binds back into the probe 11. The wedge shape thereby facilitates insertion of the probe into the dental sac. Markers 21 of the above-mentioned height are provided here as well.

The probe 11 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B has a tilted surface 17a located at the tip 17.
Light wedge (light wedge, light wedge)
e), through which the stimulating light is separated from the optical coupling in a direction perpendicular to it, rather than axially. This allows a diagnosis of the surface of the tooth area located on the side closer to the probe.

According to FIGS. 8 and 9, a further possible shape for the probe 11 is that a truncated base of a cone with a possible rounded corner at the end face of the probe tip 17.
p) (FIG. 8), or a furcati
on) with a branch to reach (offset)
Present in probe 11 (FIG. 9) with probe tip 17.

Finally, first DE 83 22 850
With reference to the tartar removal unit described in U1, the supplementation of a known dental treatment unit by the optical diagnostic device according to the invention will be described. Since their function is already well known from the above specification, only the most important elements of the tartar removal unit are shown here. FIG.
The handpiece 30 shown at 0 has a vibration generator 31 operable by the action of air, provided so that a held device tip 32 at the end of a grip sleeve 30 vibrates. . Vibration generator 31
The energy supply line to is formed by a compressed air mechanism 34 extending axially through the handpiece 30.

According to the invention, the elements of the optical diagnostic device
That is, the known handpiece 30 can be supplemented by arranging the laser diode 2, the hemispherical lens 3, the fluorescent filter 5, and the photodiode 7 in the region behind the handpiece. Extending axially to the instrument tip 32 in a compressed air line 34 through the handpiece 30 to transmit stimulating light and fluorescence;
A light guide 33 is provided which extends in a channel 35 to an end 36 which leads to the tooth area to be treated. In this exemplary embodiment, the additional focusing lens is omitted because the curvature of the hemispherical lens 3 is sufficient to couple the stimulating light A into the light guide 33. As can be inferred from the description, the elements that are important for the optical diagnostic device are the handpiece 30 in a space-saving manner.
Can be housed within.

The shape of the device tip 32 is shown in an enlarged manner in FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b). Light guide 33 is preferably formed by a very flexible fiber optic light guide so that it is not damaged by high frequency vibrations of tip 32. It extends through the elongated hollow space 35 at the instrument tip to the tip end 36, but beyond the tip end 36 so that the tooth-tissue area is not damaged during the treatment. It does not stick out. Here, the possibility exists that the channel 35 extending to the device tip 32 can additionally be used to transfer coolant or the like as well. It is important that the stimulation light A be accurately directed to the tooth-tissue area to be treated by the instrument tip 32.

The entire dental apparatus further includes a device tip 32.
Wherein the tooth-tissue region to which is directed has caries,
Alternatively, it has an indicator element that provides information on whether a calculus or capsule is being loaded, so that the user can take a therapeutic procedure according to the results of the diagnosis. Another possibility exists for the control unit to activate the vibration generator 31 with respect to the instrument tip 32 so that the treatment with the instrument tip 32 is automatically performed according to the result of the diagnosis by the optical diagnostic device.

Finally, the supplementation of a further known dental treatment unit with an optical diagnostic device is described. The units discussed below include, for example, DE 197 42 701
Tooth to be treated, as described in detail in A1
This is a dental hand-operated device that guides the polishing agent to the tissue area. 12 (a) and 12 (b) show an extension of the treatment tip according to the present invention. The arrangement of the further elements of the diagnostic device is effected in the same way as the aforementioned tartar removal unit.

The instrument tip 40 in this case represents a cannula with an internal channel 41 through which the abrasive is directed to the tooth-tissue area. In this case, the polishing liquid is
Arranging the light guide 42 used for transmitting the stimulating light A and the fluorescent light F in this channel 41 may be disadvantageous. Hence,
In this case, the light guide 42 is located outside the treatment tip, and the stimulation light, which is separated from the optical coupling at the end of the light guide 42, is now accurately guided to the area where the polishing liquid is supplied by the channel 41. . In this example,
Similarly, by an automatic controller or by a visual or audible display or an indication of the result of the examination
The therapeutic function of the device may be adjusted to respond to the results of the diagnosis.

These two examples demonstrate that it is easy to extend the known treatment unit by an effective optical diagnostic method and thus to form a very versatile dental unit. . This is particularly possible as a result of the fact that the dimensions can be kept small so that they can be integrated inside the key element handpiece of the optical diagnostic device. Of course, there is also the possibility of housing the means for generating the stimulating light and the means for evaluating the fluorescence in a separate basic unit, and then transmitting the two types of light by light guides in the supply tube for the handpiece. Furthermore, depending on the condition of the tooth area, there is the possibility of adjusting the treatment activity, so that a sufficiently improved and more effective treatment of the tooth surface can be achieved.

Finally, basically, the arrangement of the laser diodes and even the photodiodes (with appropriate filters if applicable) can be interchanged, in which case the reflective coating reflects the fluorescent light. It should also be noted that it can be realized on the back side of a hemispherical lens as it does. The arrangement shown in the drawings is again preferred, due to the fact that the required coating can be manufactured more easily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a device according to the invention for identifying dental caries, plaque or bacterial infections.

FIG. 2 shows the combination of the device according to the invention in a dental handpiece for periodontal diagnosis.

FIG. 3 shows a further development of the diagnostic device shown in FIG. 2 with the probe mounted on a shaft so that it is resilient.

FIG. 4 shows a further development of the diagnostic device shown in FIG. 2 with a probe mounted on an axis so that it is resilient.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of an optical probe.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of an optical probe.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of an optical probe.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of an optical probe.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an optical probe.

FIG. 10 shows the combination of the optical diagnostic device in the tartar removing unit.

11 (a) shows the configuration of the tip of the device of the tartar removing unit shown in FIG. 10, and FIG. 11 (b) shows an enlarged display of the tip of the device.

FIG. 12 (a) shows the instrument tip of a further treatment unit extended by the optical diagnostic device, FIG.
12B shows an enlarged display of the tip of the device shown in FIG.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (Reference) G01N 21/64 A61C 19/00 Z (71) Applicant 500577585 Bismarckling 39 D-88400 Biberach / Riss (72) Invention Alexander Hack D-88400, Germany, Wiberach Lisseig, Kiefernweg 2

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. The tooth-tissue area to be investigated (tooth-t)
Stimulation light (sti) guided to the issue region
a means (2) for generating a radiating radiation (A); and a fluorescent (radio-radiation) generated by the irradiated tooth-tissue region in response to the irradiation.
n) a detection means (7) for detecting and evaluating (F) and an evaluation means, wherein an optical path between the means (2) for generating the stimulating light (A) and the tooth-tissue region to be examined A beam splitter (4) is provided therein for reflecting the stimulating light (A) in the direction of the tooth-tissue region and transmitting the fluorescence (F) substantially, wherein the beam splitter is substantially a hemisphere Caries, plaque, bacterial infection, calculus, tartar, characterized by being formed by the planar side (4) behind the lens (3)
And other devices to identify fluorescent substances on the teeth. 2. A means (2) for generating a stimulating light (A) directed to a tooth-tissue region to be examined, and a fluorescent light (F) generated by the irradiated tooth-tissue region in response to the irradiation. Detecting means (7) for detecting and evaluating, and estimating means, wherein the stimulating light is provided in an optical path between the means (2) for generating the stimulating light (A) and the tooth-tissue region to be examined. Means (2) for reflecting (A) in the direction of the tooth-tissue region and providing a beam splitter (4) substantially transmitting the fluorescence (F); Dental handpiece (denta) with the beam splitter (4)
A device for identifying caries, plaques, bacterial infections, calculi, tartars, and other fluorescent substances on the teeth, which are characterized as being incorporated into the l handpiece (1,10,30). 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the beam splitter is formed by a substantially planar side (4) behind a hemispherical lens (3). 4. The tooth pouch of the tooth to be investigated
ket), a probe (pr) for periodontal diagnosis
ob) (11) and the tip of the probe (17)
The device according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the stimulating light (A) is separated from the optical coupling and directed to the tooth-tissue area to be investigated. 5. The probe according to claim 4, wherein the probe is made of a light guiding material and has a shape of a periodontal probe, a cone, or a light wedge. apparatus. 6. The device according to claim 4, wherein the probe has a label or a scale outside the probe. 7. The device according to claim 4, wherein the probe is mounted in a manner having elasticity in the axial direction. 8. A flexible light guide (19) for coupling the stimulating light (A) to the end of the probe (11) opposite the tip (17) of the probe. Apparatus according to any of claims 4 to 7 having features. 9. A means (2) for generating said stimulating light (A) for coupling said stimulating light (A) to an end of a probe (11) located on the opposite side of said probe tip (17). 5) characterized in that it has a mirror (20) arranged in the optical path between the probe (11) and the probe (11).
An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 10. A handpiece with a device tip (32, 40) for mechanical treatment of a tooth-tissue region.
the tooth to be treated by the device tip (32, 40).
Means for generating stimulating light (A) guided to a tissue region (2)
Detecting means (7) for detecting fluorescence (F) generated in the irradiated tooth-tissue region to be treated in response to the irradiation; and irradiation with the help of the intensity of the fluorescence (F). Means for evaluating a condition of said tooth-tissue region to be treated. 11. The dental apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a visual or audible display device or an instruction device for indicating the intensity of the fluorescence (F) or the result of the diagnosis. 12. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a controller for controlling mechanical treatment of the tooth-tissue region by the device tip (32, 40) so as to respond to a diagnosis result. 12. The dental apparatus according to item 11. 13. The tooth to be treated with the stimulating light (A).
A light guide (3) extending to or outside of the device tip (32, 40) to guide it to the tissue area
3, 42).
The dental device according to any one of the above. 14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluorescence (F) is provided at the tip (3)
14. Dental device according to claim 13, characterized in that the light is transmitted from the same light guide (33, 42) to the detection means (7). 15. A means (2) for generating said stimulating light (A).
A beam splitter which reflects the stimulating light (A) in the direction of the tooth-tissue region and substantially transmits the fluorescence (F) in the optical path between the tooth-tissue region to be examined. 15. Dental device according to any of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the beam splitter is formed by a substantially planar side (4) behind a hemispherical lens (3). 16. A device according to claim 10, comprising a vibration generator (31), by means of which the instrument tip (32) vibrates for mechanical treatment of the tooth-tissue area.
16. The dental apparatus according to any one of 15). 17. The device tip (40) includes a supply line (4) through which abrasive treatment is directed to the tooth-tissue area to be treated.
The dental apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the dental apparatus has 1). 18. The flat side (4) behind said hemispherical lens (3) reflects said stimulating light (A) in the direction of said tooth-tissue area and substantially irradiates said fluorescence (F). Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, having an permeable coating. 19. A filter (5), which is permeable to only the fluorescent light (F), is arranged in an optical path between the hemispherical lens (3) and the detecting means (7). An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18. 20. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for generating the stimulating light (A) comprises a laser diode (2). 21. The detecting means as a photodiode (7).
The device according to any one of claims 1 to 20, comprising: